Gay
Anti-DEI bill becomes law as lawmakers return for the second half of the session
Alabama lawmakers returned from spring break this week to take on several priorities for the Republican majority. Chief among them was a bill that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion programs in schools, universities and government offices.
Gay Men Blood Donors Not as Risky as Once Thought, Researchers Say
For decades, many gay men have been prohibited from donating blood. They were considered high-risk during the AIDS epidemic back in the 1980s. As of two years ago, they can donate if they’ve abstained from sex for a year, but some researchers say that’s unrealistic and unnecessary.
A Murder in Rural Alabama? S-Town Podcast is on the Case
The creators of This American Life and the popular murder-mystery podcast Serial released a third season today. This one’s called S-Town, and it’s set right here in Alabama. WBHM’s Gigi Douban got a preview of the first two episodes, and S-Town host Brian Reed tells her his reporting revealed some painful truths about life in […]
Sociologists’ Book Urges End of Sex Division in Sports
Can you imagine a world with no gender divisions in sports? University of Alabama at Birmingham sociologist Adrienne Milner can. Not only that — she wants to help make it happen. Along with University of Miami professor Dr. Jomills Henry Braddock II, she’s written a new book called “Sex Segregation in Sports: Why Separate Is Not […]
StoryCorps: “I need to get my last name legally changed, please.”
Gregory and Joshua Laning share their experiences getting their names changed and talk about being one of the first legally gay married couples in Alabama. They had a conversation at Storycorp’s mobile booth in Birmingham, AL
Conversation vs. Conversion in LGBT Issues
Members from a range of religious traditions are meeting in Birmingham Friday for a conference that puts the issues of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people alongside faith. The conference by the Magic City Acceptance Project and Human Rights Campaign Alabama aims to help religious communities accept and advocate for such individuals. Participates are hearing from Reverend Roland Stringfellow. He’s pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit. He tells WBHM’s Andrew Yeager the conference is about equipping participants with tools to have conversations.
Magic City Marketplace: A Long Time Coming
Much has been written about the investment and nightlife along Second Avenue North in Birmingham as a sign of the city center's rising fortune. But the area's comeback isn't just a post-recession story. And it's one economic development leaders hope isn't done. We talk about that in this week's Magic City Marketplace.
Alabama’s Only Openly Gay Lawmaker Overjoyed as State Recognizes Gay Marriage
On Monday Alabama probate judges can begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. It's the result of a decision last month from a federal judge in Mobile striking down the state's ban on gay marriage. Birmingham Representative Patricia Todd is the only openly gay lawmaker in the state legislature. WBHM's Andrew Yeager spoke to her about this turn of events. Todd starts by explaining what happened last week when an envelope with no return address was delivered to her Montgomery office.
INTERVIEW: Controversial Comedian Bill Maher
For his decades-long career, comedian and commentator Bill Maher has skewered cherished customs and beliefs. Whether on his HBO show "Real Time with Bill Maher," in his film "Religulous," or doing stand-up, he doesn't shy away from controversy. Politics, drugs, faith -- nothing is sacred. He'll be performing in Birmingham this Sunday, but WBHM's Dan Carsen caught up with him first. It's a serious conversation, but it starts out on a light note and ranges far and wide from there.
On The Line: Gay/Straight in Alabama
Today, June 26, WBHM is hosting 'On The Line: Gay/Straight in Alabama' from 12PM - 1PM. We invite you to call, e-mail, or tweet your thoughts on the topics affecting gay and lesbian life in Alabama.
Gay/Straight: Bullying Gay Students
It's a phrase many kids use almost daily: That's so gay. Experts say that the use of homophobic slurs in schools is on the rise. Two 11-year-olds recently committed suicide after being bullied with anti-gay taunts. And though a new law requires the Alabama Department of Education to come up with a policy prohibiting harassment, that new policy isn't likely to mention sexual orientation.
Gay/Straight: Marie Sutton on Gay Marriage
It's hard not to get excited about a wedding, especially if you're a woman who loves romance. But for WBHM commentator Marie Sutton one invitation turned into months of conversation about homosexuality, the bible and the meaning of "love thy neighbor".
Gay/Straight: Spirituality
For many gays and lesbians, coming out is an overwhelming experience. They face, family, friends, coworkers and sometimes the most daunting of all, their church. The message delivered from the pulpit leaves many at spiritual crossroads. Some feel obligated to be someone they're not. Others try to decide what part of their spirituality to keep and what to discard. Les Lovoy reports on how this faith journey affects gay men and women and their families.
It’s Elementary
For filmmaker Debra Chasnoff, her work goes back to her son. It was the mid-90s, he was about to enter kindergarten and she was concerned about the teasing he'd receive because he happens to have two mothers for parents. From her concern developed, It's Elementary , a film Chasnoff produced and directed designed to combat negative stereotypes of gay and lesbian people through education. The film has generated controversy, with some public television stations not airing the program. Some of that controversy in documented in an updated version of the film, It's Still Elementary which plays Wednesday in Birmingham. WBHM's Andrew Yeager spoke with Debra Chasnoff.
